Katie Taylor will fight Amanda Serrano on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s exhibition with Jake Paul, in a rematch of the biggest fight in the history of women’s boxing.
Taylor’s undisputed super-lightweight crown will be on the line, two years on from the Irishwoman beating Serrano with a split-decision victory in a sensational lightweight bout at Madison Square Garden.
A second fight between the pair has seemed almost inevitable ever since, with talk of a potential showdown at Croke Park to give Taylor a homecoming in Dublin.
That did not materialise but Taylor did get her fights on home soil, losing to Chantelle Cameron in May last year and then avenging that six months later, and her focus now turns back to Serrano and defending her full set of 140lbs belts on July 20.
It will be the co-main event to Paul vs Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the event streamed on Netflix.
"This is the rematch the world has wanted to see, and I'm delighted that it's finally happening," Taylor said in a statement.
"The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I'm sure the rematch will be no different."
Serrano, promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, relinquished her WBC featherweight title last year in order to fight, and beat, Danila Ramos over 12, three-minute rounds, but the rematch with Taylor will be contested over ten, two-minute rounds.
"I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG and it feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women's boxing is all about," said Serrano.
"While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I've always said that this is the one fight I'd go back to 10x2 for."
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Serrano, a seven-division world champion who was undisputed at featherweight until she gave up the WBC strap, now steps up three weight classes to challenge Taylor and attempt to pull off the biggest win of an incredible career.
Taylor is a two-weight undisputed champion, holding all the belts at both lightweight and super-lightweight, and dismissed all retirement suggestions after losing to Cameron in the first fight to deliver in front of her home fans the second time round.
It is set to be a huge night of boxing in July, with up to 80,000 fans in attendance at the AT&T Stadium to watch Taylor and Serrano do battle once again, before Mike Tyson then make his return to the ring.
"Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world," Tyson said.
"I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I'm thrilled to have them join this card. These remarkable athletes will undoubtedly elevate the event with their global appeal and fan bases. Adding one of the greatest fights in women's boxing history to this unforgettable event is a true gift to fans."